The landscape of Calcutta has a number of iconic sights, like the Victoria Memorial, the GPO, Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) but few have captured the imagination of the population like the Tram. Having its first run back in 1873, Calcutta was among a handful of Indian cities which had tramways installed. The early form of this transport was horse drawn. The electric tram was started in 1895 (Madras), with Calcutta getting it in 1900. While this particular mode of transport has died a gradual death in other cities, Calcutta has managed to hold on to this historical edifice marking it as part of its heritage.

While the city rushes past you in
a raging storm of smoke and sound, the tram lumbers along gently through some
of the busiest and at times greenest sections of the city. This gentle snake
made of iron and steel, runs off electricity on a network of tramlines, which
crisscross the city. Perhaps an argument can be made of it as a mode of green
transport, while the detractors argue of its rather slow speed and the cost of
upgrading to turn them into a long-term viable public transport of choice.
Either way, the tram stays for the time being!

… Without trying what I have to tell you. I know this is another list, and perhaps one that could incite a few moans and groans at the onset. However, this is different. I honestly do not wish to tell you what just about every guidebook has already screamed aloud, or what every most travel bloggers have already told you. Honestly, read enough of them and the “lists” could start chasing each other in your head and leave you all confused. Oddly enough, it was while compiling a “list” for my sister, who is going to visit London in a few weeks, that I came upon this little set of things, which I believe, should feature on a visitor’s list.

With the increased availability of digital cameras of all shapes and sizes, photowalking has become a regular activity for most photo-enthusiasts. So much so, that beyond personal sojourns, there are camera/photography clubs for the sole activity of photowalking. The popularity of this rather social activity is on the rise. For the uninitiated, the most pertinent question would be “What is photowalking?”What is Photowalking?